Astronomy February 2008

How comets shaped history
In ancient skies, a comet's sudden appearance provided both spectacle and portent — and savvy leaders took advantage.
By Richard Jakiel

Journey to the heart of the Milky Way
Astronomers know a supermassive black hole anchors our galaxy's core. But they struggle to understand the origins of fast-moving stars that swarm it.
By John Dvorak

On the trail of hydrogen's heavy sibling
With twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen, deuterium plays a weighty role in trying to comprehend the early universe, galactic evolution, and life's extent.
By Bruce Dorminey

Where has all the water gone?
New results from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter suggest the Red Planet's past may not have been so warm and wet after all.
By Richard Talcott

Illustrated: Explore Jupiter's moons
Tenuous dust rings, glowing gas clouds, and a ring of plasma arise from Jupiter's closest moons.
By Francis Reddy; Illustration by Roen Kelly

Observe winter's forgotten star clusters
Begin your observing year with 16 bright, but little-known, open clusters.
By Steve Coe

The darkest sky under the stars
Observing and imaging are top priorities at Arizona Sky Village, a remote community that may be amateur astronomers' paradise.
By Michael E. Bakich

Meade's mySKY teaches you the stars
Beginning astronomers take note: You can identify celestial objects like a pro.
By Mike D. Reynolds